Display sign



E. WAGNER DISPLAY SIGN May 23, 1950 2 Shee'ts-Sheet l Filed June 6, 1945 FRHMES .2. +3 Nga uf@- 265m 33 m /478 Wl wm 20 J3 INI/ENToR.

www Uggnez E. WAGNER DISPLAY SIGN May 23, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1945 INVENTOR.

Era/w Patented May 23, 1950 Erwin WagneryGhicago, Ill., assig-nor to- Wagner Sign-Service, Incorporated, Chicago,.lll., acorporation of Illinois Application Jime 6; 1945, Serial No. 597,899

Claims. (Cl.v 4th-130),

ThisV inventionrelates to display signs of the general type disclosed, for example; in my Pat-v ents Nos. zllliioio" and.. 2,158,343.

Display signs'ofI this' type are usually provided'v with a translu'eenty panel, e'. g., a glass panel, mounted ina suitable box-like structure" at one sider thereof 'an'dwithi members forming in frontv off the panel'fverticallyfsuperposed horizontally extendingr parallelibars for'removably supporting scr-called silhouette'letters,characters, iigures or other symbols? assembled onr the' bars to form a` desired.v message. The-panel maybe illuminated'v from the back.y and the `characters or symbols forming suchmessage appearV in; b'oldi silhouette outline agaii'rstV the 'illuminated background. Signso'f this type are-'Well knownland'widely used, ior'example', as marquee signs in front oi'. motion picture theaters.

The present invention' is .pasrticularlyI concerned with" improveinents relating; to the' arrangement and'mouriting of the glass panels which form the translucent bacltgro'u'ndr for the silhouette' letters fix-'characters of such signs.V

Single glass' panels may beiv used' and are used only inl relatively small sign structures. In large( signs, which may measure from 5 to` 10v feet and more in height and in excess of feet iny length, a'single panel would be' impractical, and prior structures therefore'provide'aplurality of panels' mounted inA sections 'arranged' side4t by side to form. the translucent background. Each panel section may again bel `of considerable size;A depending on the over-all-s'i'ze' of the signg.- and vsuch subdivision is therefore insuiii'cient toovercome certain drawbacks attending the mounting of the' panels. Each panel may cover a relatively large area, and' may prevent ready access toy interior structures. Maintenance; repair and replacement of 'parts are adversely affected. Accidental breakage of suchy a largef panel section :introduces numerous risks, dangers; and' .may occasion considera'blel expenses.

The shortcomingsfand drawbacks of prior' structures` are el-iiniinatedv by the present invention which contemplates, among others, the objects and featuresv briei'ly outlined below:

One-of the obiects ofthe invention'is concerned with thel provisionof ia plurality' ofV vertically extending irames which may be easily mounted in the sign side by side,v forming a framework for receiving a pluralityof translueent'panels adapted to forni the' background for' the silhouette letters 2. may be individually'removedtherefromz. Mount ing and dismounting of the glass panels ls: thusfacilitated and rendered safe.

Another object relatesA tothel provision oi means in each framev for receiving aF plurality of panels or panel subi-sections; one-superimposed vertically upon the other in overlapping relationship;l Each panel sultr-sectionfwith-in` each fera-me may be introduced into: its place or may be re-` moved, therefrom. without 'disturbing theV remain-v ing panel sub-sections.

The background for the silhouette letters or characters of the new sign is.r thus horizontally subdividedinto-aplu-rality ot frames forming-neri zontally extending fields. each field comprising a plurality of vertical superimposed panelsor panel sub-sections extending-,in a: general-'ly commonfrontalplarie.v Each'panel sub-section within each frame permitsv ready access tothe-interior ofthe sign within and: adjacent the-area coveredthereby. The: arrangement thus facilitates mainte-- nance, repair or replacementr of parts.

Details of the invention will appeary l:from the following description which is` rendered with reference tothe. accompanying -drawingst In these drawing-s,

Fig. l illustrates an embodiment of thel new sign in elevation. as Seentrom'the frontV thereof;

Fig. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale", a front viewof one complete frame withY its:` vertically superimposed overlapping, panel;r sub-sections; andparts of adjacent frames holding similar panel sub-- sections; f

Fig. 3y is a diagrammatichsection through the sign along lines 3--3fof1iigs-` 1i and 2;

Fig. 4 represents an enlarged section through the sign along lines` lle-4 in Figs'. 2, 3; and 5;

Fig. 5 showsa frontvviewof pa-rt 'of the frame' and panel sub-section structure illustrated in Fig. 2 with some' parts broken away and in. section taken approxi-mately along lines. 5-5 in Fig; 4'; and

Figs. 6- and 'l 'illustrate one of the' panel sub*- sections in front and in end view, respectively.

The drawings are. not tov scale. Parts in some of the views are 'distorted at the expenseV ofthe other parts so as to bring out details with greater clarity than would be otherwise possible. Like parts are indicated by like reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Referring now to kthe drawings, the sign comprises a box-like structure having a back wall il', a top wall l2 Yand a bottom Wall t3, as is Vparticularly apparent from Fig. 3. At the irontofy Y the sign is a display opening M defined by the marginal border I5. Angular members I'I-I8 are disposed within the box structure of the sign, as shown in Fig. 3, forming with the marginal borders I5 the recesses or channels I9 and 20 for receiving the various frames which are generally indicated in Fig. 1 by No. I to No. 5, inclusive. Five frames are assumed to be provided in the embodiment Fig. l, but it is understood, of course, that more or less frames may be used according to needs.

Each frame is constructed similarly, and therefore the description of one will suffice for all. Frame No. 3 may be described more in detail four U-shaped channels marked in Fig. 3 from with reference to Figs. 2-5, inclusive. The'fraine comprises two cross-sectionally L-shaped members 25--26 connected by eight bars numbered 21-34, inclusive. Each bar is provided with legs,

as indicated in connection with bar 2'Iat35-,36

and bar 34 at 31-38, these legs being suitably fastened, e. g., welded to the bars and also to the corresponding upright frame members 25J- 26, respectively. Y

I The general structure of the frame is thus reminiscent of a ladder, lwith the bars forming the rungs thereof. The bars are provided for the purpose of receiving and supporting the silhouette letters, characters orrsymbols as described in my previously mentioned patents.v Eight such bars are shown in Figs. l andV 2 in connection with the frame No.V 3. It is understood, of course, that this is done for the sake of convenience and isnot intended to indicate any limitation. More or less bars may be provided as required in accordance with the size and purpose of the sign.

A' Each of the remaining frames, Nos. I-2 and 4 5, respectively, is constructed similarly. Each frame isput in place by lifting it, with the upper ends of the uprights 25 and 26 inserted into the recessor channel I 9 (Fig. 3), until the lower ends of the uprights 25-26 clear the edge of the opening I4 dened by the bottomv margin I5, whereupon the uprights are dropped into the lower channel 2,0. p Y

Suitable adjustable tie rods, indicated in Fig. 3 at 40, may be provided for securing the rearwardly extending portions 4I-42 of the frame uprights 25-26, respectively, to the rear wall I I of the sign box. rIfhe tie rods constitute a support for theirames and therewith for the glass panels provided in each frame. They prevent rattling and counteract the veffect of wind pressure.

The various frames Ymay be laterally tied together after insertion into the sign by means of suitable spring clips (not shown) clamped over the uprights of adjacent frames. Any other suitable and approved means for tying the frames laterally together may, of course, be used.

The crossbars such asi2I,-34 of the'various frames are in horizontal alignment, forming parallel horizontally extending continuous supports for the silhouette letters or characters which are to be assembled thereon. The alignment of the crossbars of the sign is apparent from Figs. l, 2 and 4. It will be seen, ior example, that the crossbar 21 of frame 3 is in horizontal alignment with the crossbar 45 of frame 2 and also with the crossbar 46 oi' frame 4. The same is true of the lowermost crossbar 34 of frame 3 which is in horizontal alignment with vcrossbar 41 of frame 2 and also with crossbar 48 of frame 4. All the remaining crossbars 28-33 of frame 3 are in similar horizontal alignment with the corresponding crossbars of adjacent frames Nos. 2 and 4 and the crossbars in the latter frames are simibottom to top by numerals 50-5I-52-53- Thse channels are arranged at an angle to the frontal plane of the sign and in overlapping relationship; i. e., the top of each channel is disposed in back of the bottom of the vertically successive channel. Putting it in other words, the bottoms of the channels are disposed in a common plane, but each channel slants backwardly so that its top clears the bottom of the'next channel. The channels face laterally inwardly from the sides of the frame, and each channel is provided at its bottom with a leg for supporting the panel inserted therein. For example, the channel 53, Figs. 3 and 5, which is attached to the rearwardly projecting extension 4I of the upright member 25, is provided with the bottom leg 54. Similarly, the

channel 55, attached to the rearwardly project' ing extension 42 of the upright frame member 26, is provided with the bottom leg 51. These two laterally inwardly facing channels hold the panel sub-section Sil which is inserted therein from the top, as indicated in Fig. 3. Each channel member on the rearwardly projecting extension 4I of the upright frame member 25 has a, similar companion channel member carried by the rearwardly projecting extension 42 of the upright 26. The companion U-shaped channel for the channel 52 on the upright extension 4I is attached to the extension 42 of upright 26 and is indicated in Fig. 5 by numeral 56. The channels 52 and 5B support the panel sub-section 6I disposed below the panel section 6B. The mounting of the panel sub-section 62 disposed below panel subsection Bi and of the bottom panel sub-section 63 is similar.

These panel sub-sections 60-63 are thus each provided on an incline, slanting back from the frontal plane of the sign, with the top edge of panel sub-sections 6I in back of the bottom edge of panel sub-section 60; the top edge of panel sub-section 62 in back of the bottom edge of panel sub-section 6I; and the top of panel subsection 63 in back of the bottom of panel subsection 62.

The incline of these panel Vsub-sections, as shown in Fig. 3, is very much exaggerated due to the distorted scale on which the different parts are illustrated within the available drawing space.

It should be considered in connection with this arrangement that each of these panel sub-sections may be, for example, 2 feet high and 1A inch thick. The channel members 53-55, 52-56, etc., which hold the different panel sub-sections, are made of material e. g., inch thick or even less. The angular distortion which results in a practical embodiment is, therefore, negligible. In other words, the panel sections are disposed at an angular incline, e. g., approximately $4; inch to every 2 feet of height. For all intents and purposes the panel sub-sections may be considered to be in vertical alignment and actually create the frontal impression of being of an integral structure; that is to say, when looking` an area covered by such Vpanel without disturbing any other panel, said device comprising a pair of horizontally spaced uprights, the opposite free ends of said uprights being removably disposed in recesses formed in the frontal part of said housing which defines said opening at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, a plurality of vertically successive vertically spaced crossbars extending horizontally Ybetween said uprights and endwise connected therewith, an extension projecting rearwardly from each upright intermediate its free ends, and a plurality of crosssectionally U-shaped channel members carried by each extension and laterally inwardly projecting therefrom to form a plurality of vertically successive pairs of generally vertically extending horizontally spaced and laterally inwardly facing cooperating channels, each pair of cooperating channels for removably receiving one of said panels in sliding engagement with opposite lateral edges thereof, each cooperating pair of channels being disposed at a rearwardly slanting angle in upwardly, rearwardly, overlapping relationship with the vertically next successive cooperating pair of channels, whereby each panel may be individually raised in edgewise sliding engagement with its cooperating pair of channels by applying a lifting force to its frontally accessible bottom edge which extends horizontally between said uprights to form an opening in said background surface which eXposes the interior of said sign substantially for the area covered by such panel.

2. In a changeable sign having a boxlike housing forming a rectangular frontal opening at one side thereof and having a plurality of vertically successive panels which extend across said opening to form a background for articles assembled for display in front thereof, a device for individually mounting said panels to furnish the appearance of a single substantially uninterrupted vertically extending display background surface and to permit raising of each panel individually to gain access to the interior of said sign along an area covered by such panel without disturbing any other panel, said device comprising a pair of horizontally spaced uprights, the opposite free ends of said uprights being removably disposed in recesses formed in the frontal part of said housing which denes said opening at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, a plurality of vertically successive vertically spaced crossbars extending horizontally between said uprights and endwise connected therewith, an extension projecting rearwardly from each upright intermediate its free ends, a-plurality of cross-sectionally U-shaped channel members carried by each extension and laterally inwardly projecting therefrom to form a plurality of vertically successive pairs of generally vertically extending horizontally spaced and laterally inwardly facing cooperating channels, each pair of cooperating channels for removably receiving one of said panels in sliding engagement with opposite lateral edges thereof, each cooperating pair of channels being disposed at a rearwardly slanting angle in upwardly, rearwardly, overlapping relationship with the vertically next successive cooperatingv pair of channels, whereby each panel may be individually raised in edgewise sliding engagement with its cooperating pair of channels by applying a lifting force to its frontally accessible bottom edge which extends horizontally between said uprights to form an opening in said background surface which exposes the interior of said sign substantially for the area covered by such'panel, and means for attachment to one of said crossbars and to the lower edge of a raised panel, respectively, for holding such panel in elevated position to permit secure and unimpeded access to the corresponding interior area of said sign.

3. In a changeable sign having a boxlike housing forming a rectangular frontal opening at one side thereof and having a plurality of vertically successive panels which extend across said opening to form a background for articles assembled for display in front thereof, a device for individually mounting said panels to furnish the appearance of a single substantially uninterrupted vertically extending display background surface and to permit raising of each panel individually to gain access to the interior of said sign along an area covered by such panel without disturbing any other panel, said device comprising a pair of horizontally spaced uprights, the opposite free ends of said uprights being removably disposed in recesses formed in the frontal part of said housing which defines said opening at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, a plurality of vertically successive vertically spaced crossbars extending horizontally between said uprights and endwise connected therewith, an extension projecting rearwardly from each upright intermediate its free ends, a plurality of cross-sectionally U-shaped channel members carried by each extension and laterally inwardly projecting therefrom to form a plurality of vertically successive pairs of generally vertically extending horizontally spaced and laterally inwardly ,facing cooperating channels, each pair of cooperating channels for removably receiving one of said panels in sliding engagement with opposite lateral edges thereof, each cooperating pair of channels being disposed at a rearwardly slanting angle in upwardly, rearwardly, overlapping relationship with the vertically next successive cooperating pair of channels, whereby each panel may be individually raised in edgewise sliding engagement with its cooperating pair of channels by applying a lifting force to its frontally accessible bottom edge which extends horizontally between said uprights to form an opening in said background surface which exposes the interior of said sign substantially for the area covered by such panel, and a generally S-shaped hanger for attachment at one end to one of said cross-bars and at the other end to the lower edge of a raised panel, respectively, for holding such panel in elevated position to permit secure and unimpeded access to the corresponding interior area of said sign.

4. In a changeable sign having a boxlike housing forming a rectangular frontal opening at one side thereof and having a plurality of vertically successive panels which extend across said opening to form a background for articles assembled for display in front thereof, a device for individually mounting said panels to furnish the appearance of a single substantially uninterrupted vertically extending display background surface and to permit raising of each panel individually to Vgain access to the interior of said sign along an area covered by such panel without disturbing any other panel, said device comprising a pair of horizontally spaced uprights, the opposite free ends of said uprights being removably disposed in recesses formed inY the frontal part of said housing which defines said opening at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, a plurality of vertically successive vertically spaced crossbars extending horizontally between said uprights and endwise connected therewith, an extension projecting rearwardly from each upright intermediate its free ends, and a plurality of crosssectionally U-shaped channel members carried by each extension and laterally inwardly projecting therefrom to form a plurality of vertically successive pairs of generally vertically extending horizontally spaced and laterally inwardly facing cooperating channels, each pair of cooperating channels for removably. receiving one of said panels in sliding engagement with opposite lateral edges thereof, each cooperating pair of channels being disposed at a rearwardly slanting angle in upwardly, rearwardly overlapping relationship with the vertically next successive pair of channels with the upperlends of the channels in back of and adjacent to the lower ends of the corresponding vertically successive channels, whereby each panel is disposedA in a plane slightly rearwardly tilting with respect to the bottom plane of the vertically next successive panel by an amount which corresponds substantially to the thickness thereof and whereby each panel may be individually raised in edgewise sliding engagement with its cooperating pair of channels by applying a lifting force to its frontally accessible bottom edge which extends horizontally between said uprights to form an opening in said background surface which exposes the interior of said sign substantially for the area covered by such panel.

5. In a changeable sign of the class described having a-boxlike housing forming a rectangular frontal opening at one side thereof, a pair of 4horizontally spaced uprights, the opposite free play panel sub-section in vertical position to cover an area of said frontal opening immediately below the top edge thereof, and a plurality of cross-sectionally U-shaped vertically downwardly successively disposed channel members carried by each extension below said top retainer means and laterally inwardly projecting therefrom to form pairs of laterally inwardly facing cooperating channels, each pair of cooperating channels for removably receiving a display panel sub-section to cover a corresponding area of said frontal opening below said top display panel subsection, each cooperating pair of channels being disposed at an angle with the upper ends of the channels in back of and adjacent to the lower ends of the channels of the vertically next successive pair, whereby each of the display panel sub-sections below said top display panel subsection is disposed in a plant slightly rearwardly tilting by an amount which corresponds substantially to the thickness thereof and whereby each display panel sub-section may be individually raised by applying a lifting force to its bottom edge to expose the interior of said sign substantially for the area covered by said display panel sub-section.

ERWIN WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,459,538 Klatt June 19, 1923 1,524,668 Miller et al Feb. 3, 1925 1,644,742 Moynihan Oct. 11, 1927 1,667,091 Wolstenholme Apr. 24, 1928 2,038,978 Adler Apr. 28, 1936 2,075,764 Marten Mar. 30, 1937 2,153,595 Scantlebury Apr. 11, 1939 2,230,873 Wagner et al Feb. 4, 1941 2,284,626 Adler June 2, 1942 2,313,723 Adler Mar. 16, 1943 2,313,724 Adler Mar. 16, 1943 2,319,910 Adler May 25, 1943 

